7 Ways to Protect Your Privacy on Social Media

Let’s be honest, there are just two reasons for being on social media: To see what your friends are doing, what they bought, whom they’re dating and where they’re vacationing….

…and to show the world that you’re awesome(er) than they are.

And then there’s the boring stuff like keeping up with news and sharing our opinions, getting fashion ideas and artistic inspirations, or to share your vacation photos with your family.

Whatever you use social media for, you need to be aware of the risks and dangers that lurk under the surface.

1. The not-so-fine fine print

Yes, we’re referring to that thing you just clicked “I Accept” without reading. Facebook’s fine print has a line that says “We reserve the right to send your private pictures to your mom if it shows illegal activities”. Really??! No. We made that up. But the fact that it could be true should be enough to scare you.

It’s not a surefire way, but let’s be real, are you going reading those 10,000 words in size 5 font?

2. Recommended not recommended

‘Recommended’ or ‘default’ settings doesn’t mean it’s the safest. Remember that social media websites want to get as many people seeing, liking and sharing your content as possible. Facebook gives you 3 levels of visibility: public, friends and only you, as does Linkedin and other sites.

Which should you choose? Do the grandma test. Would make grandma laugh – Public. Grandma will disapprove – Friends. NSFG (Not Safe for Grandma) – Only you.

3. Location

Missed the last train to get back to your hostel at 2am on your solo trip around Europe? Thanks to your public post on facebook, your family, friends, and even that kidnapper from Taken knows exactly where you are, and what has happened. Still sounds like a great idea?

But it’s not always you that’s revealing your location information. Many sites now automatically attach your location to the pictures you upload, or the posts you make.

4. Personal Information

“Husband just bought us a cruise package! We’ll be away the whole of next week!”

That’ll probably get you a few likes (and plenty of envious hate) from your colleagues and friends, and it’ll also tell the guy in the neighborhood, who’s been eyeing your expensive watch collection, that it’s time to strike.

Keep your personal information, schedules, and travel plans to yourself, or among a trusted group of people. You never know who’s watching.

5. Contests

Free iPhone if you share this post, fill out a form and receive a new Playstation, win a trip to Las Vegas if you visit this site…. We could go on and on. Are you really buying this?

Granted, some contests could be legitimate marketing, but that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down. While most companies (like us!) respect and protect the private information you give us, criminals won’t and you could quickly find yourself on the receiving end of spam, hacks and other harmful intrusions.

Our tip? Make sure that the contest actually exists (a quick Google search), and make sure that the post is actually coming from the official account of a reputable company and not from Show-Me-Your-Money Inc. or Everybodywins LLC.

6. Romance scams

Extremely dashing guy from South Africa randomly messages you and introduces himself? Or a very friendly girl from Paris sends you a picture and says hi? Time to wake up. Life isn’t a Hollywood film.

And don’t try to convince yourself that this is different, scammers sometimes build their relationship and trust with their victims over many years, patiently waiting for that big payday when their “grandfather contracts a fatal disease and needs a $500,000 cure that has to be flown in from Argentina”.

7. Ads tracking

Not technically an invasion of your privacy… well, not a malicious one anyway. Although it can be unsettling, and bad for your wallet, to have ads pop up all over the place, reminding you about that brand new smartphone you were looking at on Amazon. On Facebook, go to the Ads section under Privacy settings to disable “Ads based on my use of websites and apps”

Do you have your own tips? Share your experience in the comments below!

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